End of the Tunnel

Adoption Resources of Wisconsin (ARW), together with the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee’s Journalism and Mass Communication Strategic Campaigns class successfully completed the inaugural “Adoption is Good Business” awards luncheon last Wednesday, April 21.

For the past three months, these UWM students have been working closely with Marilyn Boeldt, director of development-communications and ARW to put on the event. Marilyn’s goal for the “Adoption is Good Business” awards luncheon was to raise awareness and support for adoption and foster care, develop new relationships with Milwaukee businesses, and recognize Brady Corporation for their outstanding adoption benefits.

The journalism and mass communication students assisted the non-profit organization by developing a strategic plan to accomplish these goals and objectives. The students spent hours working in media, public relations, research and creative teams where they developed a polished media kit, event invitations, advertisements, post event surveys, and new blog and Twitter accounts. After a great deal of hard work, UWM students and ARW staff were able to relax and watch as their hard work paid off this past Wednesday, April 21. Thanks to UWM’s journalism and mass communication strategic campaigns class, Adoption Resources of Wisconsin hosted an event that had a successful turnout, one that suggests support for adoption from many greater Milwaukee businesses.



Event Recap:
The event honored Brady Corporation, the winner of the 2010 “Adoption is Good Business” award. Brady Corporation was nominated based on their outstanding adoption benefits for employees. The award was accepted by Carole Herbstreit, Director of Corporate Communications

Also featured at the event was M.C., Bill Michaels; a well known reporter, director, anchor and sports talk show host; Colleen Ellingson, ARW’s chief executive officer, and Sean Tuohy, the “Adoption is Good Business” awards luncheon’s keynote speaker, adoptive parent and father of NFL player Michael Oher. Tuohy recognized and thanked all adoptive parents and commended ARW’s efforts in the greater Milwaukee area. Tuohy was also a charming speaker who humored and charmed guests from the beginning to end.

Thanks to Adoption Resources of Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee’s journalism and mass communication strategic campaigns class, The Milwaukee Business Journal, and Sean Tuohy, the event was a complete success.

"Tuohy's story helps put spotlight on adoption"

Check out publisher of The Business Journal Mark Sabljak's article Thuohy's story helps put spotlight on adoption by clicking here!

And the Award goes to...

Congratulations to the Brady Corporation! In exhibiting tremendous support to your employers who choose to adopt, we are proud to honor your efforts by awarding you the 2010 Adoption is Good Business Award!



Past recipients of the Adoption is Good Business Award include:


Abbott Labs

American Family Insurance

American Foods Group

Bridgeman Foods

Business Journal

Children's Hospital & Health Systems

GE Medical

Gordon Flesch Co., Inc.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Hydrite Chemical

Jockey International

Journal Communications

KPMG

Marquette Medical

Marshall & Ilsley Corporation

National Insurance Services

Pilot Travel Centers, Inc.

QuadCreative

QuadGraphics

Quest Diagnostics

Robert W. Baird Company

S.C. Johnson & Sons

The Schroeder Group S.C.

ThedaCare Inc.
Wheaton Fransican Healthcare

Luncheon Launchpad

We sincerely thank all of those who attended the 2010 Adoption is Good Business Luncheon. Please take a few moments to fill out this survey to provide us with feedback.

Saving Wisconsin Taxpayers Over $88 Million

As we approach one of the most dreaded days on the calendar, April 15, conversation inevitably turns to the topic of taxes and where it all goes. Adoption Resources of Wisconsin (ARW) is a local Wisconsin non-profit that provides vital services devoted to finding permanent loving families for the thousands of Wisconsin children languishing in the foster care program, while at the same time saving millions of dollars for Wisconsin taxpayers.

While not an adoption agency, ARW serves as an umbrella over adoption and foster care in Wisconsin, providing information and referral at every stage of the process, recruiting homes for the children most in need and offering training, education and support to families after placement as well as to the professionals who work with those families.

At this point you are probably asking yourself, “What does all this have to do with taxes?” Well, ARW services have saved Wisconsin taxpayers over $88 million, 39 percent of which has directly affected Milwaukee County.

Currently there are more than 6,000 children in the Wisconsin foster care system ranging in age from less than a year to 17. Using extremely conservative estimates, ARW has calculated that each child in the foster care system ends up costing Wisconsin tax payers at least $5,000 per year. This figure doesn’t take into effect U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Jail Statistics listing the taxpayer cost at $50,000 per year for housing each of the more than 11,000 prisoners in the Wisconsin correctional system who have spent time in the foster care system.

These children’s journey through the system can come to an end in a number of ways. They return to the care of their parents, they are placed with a family through guardianship, often with relatives, they are adopted, or they “age out” of the system when they turn 18.

Those children unfortunate enough to never find a permanent family, 8 percent annually, face a rocky road. According to the Chapin Hall Center for Children, University of Chicago, Multi State Foster Care Data Archive, 50 percent are unemployed; 37 percent had not received high school diplomas; while 27 percent of young men and 10 percent of young women find themselves incarcerated.

Part of ARW’s mission is to drastically decrease the number of children that end up aging out of the system due to never finding a permanent living situation. Throughout its 27 years of service to Wisconsin children and their families, ARW has helped facilitate more than 1,800 adoptions from the foster care system, accounting for the $88 million in savings for Wisconsin taxpayers.

In its continual effort to educate the public on the importance of adoption, especially via the foster care system, ARW is holding its annual “Adoption is Good Business Luncheon.” The luncheon is held in order to honor a local business with exceptional adoption benefits with the “Adoption is Good Business Award” co-sponsored by The Business Journal serving Greater Milwaukee. The event will take place Wednesday April 21, from 11:30-1:30 at the Pfister Hotel Ballroom located at 424 East Wisconsin Ave. in downtown Milwaukee.

The event features a keynote address from Sean Touhy, the real life father from the Oscar winning movie “The Blind Side” and will be hosted by adoptee Bill Michaels of News Radio 620’s Sports Center.

Through increased support of ARW and like minded organizations Wisconsin residents and businesses can continue to help lower the amount of public funds needed to support the foster care system and allow these funds to be diverted to other much needed areas like the education system.

As Colleen Ellingson, CEO of ARW, says; “Children are our most valuable resource. When we give them stability, safety and support, they have a fighting chance to grow into their potential – the potential to become the wonderful, productive adults that is their birthright.”

Tickets for the event are now on sale and available as a single ticket for $75 or full tables for $750. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information on tickets or becoming a sponsor, contact Jenna Czaplewski at jczaplewski@wiadopt.org or 414-475-1246.

Written by Noah Kamsler

What has ARW already done for YOU?

Adoption Resources of Wisconsin has saved Milwaukee county taxpayers $34 million by facilitating adoption from foster care,

Millions of dollars and hundreds of loving homes is good business for everyone.

A Special Thanks to Sean Tuohy

Adoption Resources of Wisconsin and the Adoption is Good Business Luncheon would like to express a special thank you to our keynote speaker Sean Tuohy.

As many know by now Sean is the adoptive father of Michael Oher, who's uplifting story has been the inspiration behind the hit movie "The Blind Side."

With the love and support of his adoptive family, the Tuohy's, Michael Oher went from homeless teen to a first round draft pick for the NFL's Baltimore Ravens. From the perspective of a father, coach and successful businessman, Sean poses a simple question: How much unrealized potential - kids like Michael - slips through the cracks every day and how can the business community address the problem?

Come see Sean speak at the Adoption is Good Business Luncheon. The Luncheon is being held on April 21st at the Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee.

To learn about Sean Tuohy and his relationship with Michael Oher click here!